'Broadway Bits' condenses 5 musicals into 90 minutes

Feb. 12, 2009

Playing the evil sisters in the Cinderella portion of “Broadway Bits” are, from left, Danielle Blackhart, Forrest Pelsue and Bernadette Garcia. See Sunday’s Arts & Culture section for a roundup of more local theater productions. / Provided to the Reno Gazette-Journal

It took her almost a year, but Janet Lazarus figured out a way to present five classic musicals in just 90 minutes.

"Sometimes it's hard to sit through a two-hour Broadway show," she said. "It's not all great. This is all great."

Lazarus, creative director of Sierra School of Performing Arts, was talking about her company's forthcoming show, "Broadway Bits," running today through Sunday. The production includes shortened versions of "Cinderella," "The Wizard of Oz," "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown," "Sweet Charity" and "Bye Bye Birdie" presented by Northern Nevada students and adults.

Lazarus said she and the show's music director began choosing scenes and planning for "Broadway Bits" last May, and they have been working on it ever since. Part of the reason for the long lead time is that SSPA students cover a wide age range and tend to stay busy, so Lazarus only holds rehearsals on Sundays.

The school, which produces one show per year and also holds summer theater camps, has been around since 2005 and students fit its activities in around their regular schedules. Lazarus said camp students range from fourth-graders to high-school students, and "Broadway Bits" has actors ranging from 6-year-olds to adults. Most of the actors, however, are youths.

"I want adults playing adults," Lazarus said. "I think it makes a better show, and I think that the kids learn from what the adults have to offer."

In all, Lazarus said, about 50 people are involved with "Broadway Bits," including a four-piece band and performers who specialize in dance.

"About 12 people are only dancing because we wanted to get real dancers," she said. "There are a couple of numbers that are pretty amazing."

Lazarus said she's excited about how the production came together during the past week, and she's looking forward to this weekend's performances.

"There's nothing in the world like the feeling of having put it together, taking so much time and so much energy, and then you see your product on the stage and people are enjoying it," she said. "There's absolutely nothing in the world like that."